Building Resilient and Sustainable African Entrepreneurship
This article was originally published on Qazini.com
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Africa contributes
about two to three percent to climate change, yet the youthful continent bears the most
consequences. Decreased rainfall, increased heat waves, droughts, and an increase in
heavy rainfall are some of the adverse effects of global emissions facing Africa. This will
impact our eco-systems, our livelihoods, societies and economies. UNEP highlights
that, one of the reasons why Africa is vulnerable to climate change is due to its weaker
social and economic system compared to other parts of the world. Even though the
climate crisis threatens to disrupt and negatively impact Africa’s economies and
societies, African entrepreneurs have the capacity to turn the tables.
This article seeks to explore the social and economic benefits of entrepreneurship in
Africa, how the climate crisis is affecting entrepreneurship and ways to build sustainable
entrepreneurship —a reflection of insights shared during the Shared Value Africa
Initiative’s (SVAI) at the recent African Entrepreneurship Forum held on in August 2022.
Social and economic impact of entrepreneurship
With entrepreneurship at the core of Africa’s development efforts, economic prosperity
is guaranteed. Here are some areas on entrepreneurship in Africa enhances social and
economic growth.
● Creation of employment opportunities. The African Development Bank (AfDB)
indicates that over 20 million jobs were lost in 2021 in Africa due to the Covid-19
pandemic. The poverty levels remained high in 2022, and from the Russia-
Ukraine conflict, the bank further states that, another 1.8 million people are likely
to end up in poverty in 2022 and a further 2.1 million in 2023. Entrepreneurship
creates job opportunities not only for entrepreneurs themselves but also for other
people. Their living standards improve, which in turn reduces poverty.
● Technology development. The Business Insider Africa, records that six African
start-ups featured in the World Economic Forum’s list of 100 innovative tech
start-ups for its 2022 Technology Pioneers cohort. These start-ups include Okra
in Nigeria – Fintech; Access Afya, Kenya – healthcare social enterprise; Sendy.
Kenya – ecommerce fulfillment; Pula Advisors, Kenya – agricultural insurance
and technology; Ampersand, Rwanda – solar energy; and Ejara, Cameroon –
crypto and investment services. The World Economic Forum’s Technology
Pioneers are at the forefront of shaping policy, strategy innovation and solutions
in technology on globally relevant issues. These African startups will be part of a
global community comprising some of the world’s tech bigwigs, including Google,
Twitter, Spotify, Wikipedia and Mozilla.
● Increased revenue. Entrepreneurs boost Africa’s economy through paying taxes
which are used to establish and strengthen social services e.g. healthcare,
education, social security, etc. and build infrastructure in countries.
● Creation of new markets and businesses. Saturation of products and services
in an area pushes entrepreneurs to think creatively and establish new markets
and businesses. When the newly created markets perform well, Africa’s economy
equally grows.
Climate change and African entrepreneurship
Climate change has dire consequences on people, prosperity, peace, and the planet
—our home; this means climate change will impact businesses. So, how should
entrepreneurs ensure that they remain resilient and foster sustainable entrepreneurship
in Africa?
Making Africa’s entrepreneurship sustainable
● African entrepreneurs must learn to intentionally focus on the problems they
are solving to offer customized and sustainable solutions. Entrepreneurs need to
be guided by a social and environmental mission. By focusing on the problems,
entrepreneurs are identifying gaps in the market and society that need solutions
through a product/service.
● An agribusiness entrepreneur at the forum emphasized the need to embrace
innovation, mechanization and hydroponics for sustainable agriculture.
Entrepreneurs needs to innovate and adapt with the realities of climate change
and its potential impacts in mind.
● Pointing out the power of collaboration, another panelist advised entrepreneurs
from different sectors to work together. Building on this, the panelist highlighted
that cross-industry collaboration and partnership can create an ecosystem where
like-minded entrepreneurs jointly offer solutions. Importantly, collaboration allows
for and leverages sharing resources, expertise reduces costs, and drives scale
and impact.
African entrepreneurs need to provide products/services to society that benefit
consumers: strengthen and make our societies and economies more resilient. African
entrepreneurs are called on to solve Africa’s social and environmental challenges and
opportunities. At the end of the day, this vibrant, dynamic, rising continent is our
business.
